As police continue to search the Washington wilderness for triple-murder suspect Travis Decker, support is pouring in for the mother of the three young girls he is accused of killing.
Decker, 32, is accused of killing his three daughters, Olivia, Evelyn, and Paityn, last week. Their bodies were discovered on June 2, and Washington has since launched a massive manhunt, with the state deploying the national guard to assist in the search.
A GoFundMe page set up by the girl’s mother, Whitney, has raised nearly $1.2 million. According to the page, the funds raised will benefit Whitney “to help cover final expenses, support time off from work, and give her space to heal without financial pressure.”
Amy Edwards, Whitney’s long-time friend, created the page. “We originally met through Short Shakespeareans, where I serve as the music director and had the privilege of teaching Whitney’s girls over the past few years.”
“As a mother of three girls, I can not imagine what you are going through. “I am so sorry this happened and will keep you in my thoughts,” wrote one donor.
The city of Wenatchee also issued a social media post with donation information. The city also announced that flags would be lowered to half-staff in memory of the girls. “We encourage others to join us in this remembrance by lowering their flags in honor of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker,” according to the website.
The girls were discovered following a visit with Decker near his vehicle near the Rock Island Campground, which is located west of Leavenworth on Icicle Road. According to Fox 13 Seattle, police have begun to remove roadblocks in the area, and some campgrounds are reopening.
Fox 13 Seattle reported that some areas of North Cascades National Park, including the Pacific Crest Trail north of Snoqualmie Pass, remain closed. Decker is an army veteran who attended survival school, and authorities have previously stated that he can survive in the wilderness off the grid, according to USA TODAY.
